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Wear Beer launched in September and its range of cask ales is already proving popular.

The man behind it is Valencia-born Julio Romero Johnson, who has lived on Wearside since 2013 and learned his craft at Brewlab on Sunderland Enterprise Park.

The brewery’s logo depicts the Lambton Worm slithering round a three-point red star; itself inspired by the emblem used by the International Brigades as they fought Fascism during the 1936 Spanish Civil War.

Julio Romero Johnson may suggest to Mercedes-Benz that they are unlikely to receive many orders for Wear Beer. Sunderland Echo image.

However, London solicitors acting on behalf of Mercedes-Benz have contacted the Intellectual Property Office, saying that the Wear Beer logo is too alike to that of the Stuttgart-based car giant and is “threatening to oppose” it

According to their own website, Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars “delivered 2,043,900 vehicles to customers” in 2022 and has total assets of over 26 billion euros.

Operating from a 25ft x 12ft cellar beneath the Ship Isis on Silksworth Row, Wear Beer delivers to around 10 pubs in Sunderland.

The brewery’s star is thicker than that of the car firm and Mr Romero Johnson is bewildered by the legal move.

The logos of Wear Beer, left (that's left) and Mercedes.

On September 21, the end of a two-month period given to oppose a registration, he received the “notice of threatened opposition”, saying that he may have to pay the multinational’s costs. He has a month to respond.

Mr Romero Johnson, who drives a Peugeot, said: “I was surprised to receive it. My heart sank when I saw ‘Mercedes’ and not some corner shop you can go and have a chat with.

"I don’t know if they will change their mind. I intend to write to Mercedes through their solicitors.

“Stars are quite common on brewery logos. There is also a link between Spain and Sunderland, through people from here who fought for the Republicans.”

Sunderland brewer Julio Romero Johnson has received a letter on behalf of Mercedes-Benz about the Wear Beer logo. Sunderland Echo image.

Micro brewery Wear Beer launches at Sunderland's Ship Isis pub

Mr Romero Johnson has drafted a polite letter of response, expressing his doubts as to consumers confusing the two organisations due to the logos. He feels that the chances of drinkers misguidedly asking bar staff for a pint of Mercedes, or strolling into a car dealership requesting a Wear Beer hybrid, are remote.

Mercedes-Benz is yet to respond to the Echo's enquiries.

Sunderland's Wear Beer micro brewery astounded after legal threat over logo from Mercedes-Benz' lawyers